Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Système Informatisé Eau-Potable (LCH) (Drinking Water Information System, Québec)

Contacts
Isabel Parent
Technicienne en eau et en assainissement
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
675 boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 8^e étage
Boîte 42
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3885, extension 7040
E-mail: isabel.parent@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Alain Riopel
Pilote système
Direction des opérations régionales
Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec
675 boul. René-Lévesque Est, 29^e étage
Boîte 95
Québec, QC
G1R 5V7
Tel: (418) 521-3899
E-mail: alain.riopel@menv.gouv.qc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Direction des ressources informationnelles (Information Resources Directorate), Ministère de l'Environnement du Québec

Purpose of Database
To monitor drinking water quality, specifically in distribution networks (Aqueduc) in Québec regions, localities, and municipalities.

Content
Provincial and local/municipal data on all contaminants which affect the quality of drinking water and which could be harmful for human consumption. Data types: levels of contaminants in drinking water; chemical, microbiological, geographic. Geolocators: municipal codes, postal codes, longitudinal or latitudinal coordinates. Personal data on those responsible for the Aqueduc networks: name and address (street and number, city or town, postal code).

Data elements: All results of analyses of regulated parameters/substances and of all other substances (microorganisms, metals, organic matter, inorganic matter, etc.) studied in distributed drinking water.

There are roughly 5,705,964 records in the database.

Year Database Established
1984

Coverage Period
1970 to present

Data Updates
Daily

Data Provider
Québec Ministry of Environment; accredited laboratories are the original data sources and transmit sample test results to the Ministry.

Data Availability
Regional branches (directions) of the Québec Ministry of Environment, and the Direction de Santé publique du Québec are the main users of the information in the database. Direct access is only through the Québec Ministry of Environment. There is a specific identifier for every co-user. Protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data: Québec Access to Information Act.

Reports
1) A catalogue / report on exceedances of standards is produced monthly and is available in printed and electronic formats. It is disseminated to regional branches of the Québec Ministry of Environment. Data can be exported in spreadsheet format or as formatted text, or through an Info-Centre. 2) Catalogue / rapport de non-respect de fréquence: produced monthly, every 3 months, and annually. Remaining information is the same as for (1).

Additional Comments
Boil-water advisories and non-consumption advisories for drinking water are always transmitted to the Direction de la Santé publique of the region concerned.

Data were collected under the authority of the provincial regulation on drinking water up to June 27, 2001; and the provincial regulation on drinking water quality since June 28, 2001 (a regulation under the provincial law on the Quality of the Québec Environment).

Documentation on the database is available in printed format.